New Snow and Wind on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/07/2015 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 44.64" N, 119° 54' 24.12" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

New snow from yesterdays storm down to 7000' in this area with up to 2' of new snow at 9000' in moderately wind loaded terrain.  The new snow is dense with a rain/snow layer in the middle of the new snow from when the storm warmed up overnight.  No natural avalanche activity observed today with good visibility in the morning shutting out quickly by late morning.  Very minor cracking and some small wind slab failure in isolated areas.  Blowing snow was limited today by windward slopes being scoured to dirt or the rain crust from last night.    

Photo#1:  Small wind slab (4'') sliding on the firmer rain/snow layer that occured sometime overnight.

Photo#2:  71cm of new snow at snowpit location and showing the old snow/new snow interface.

Video:  ECTP-20 SC at 77cm

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

MVI 3181

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

The morning had long periods of sun.  By 11am clouds came in and light snow began to fall by mid day.